Here is a look at the brand new Kal Tire Sign that was added to Kal Tire Place on December 12th 2013. Kal Tire Place since has added a second sign similar like this one about two weeks ago on the inisde of the arena.

DAVOS, Switzerland – Doug Shedden says Canada played its best game at the Spengler Cup on Monday.

Unfortunately for the Canadians, so did opposing goaltender Tobias Stephan.

Stephan made 50 saves and HC Genève-Servette capitalized on its chances in a 6-5 semifinal win over defending champion Canada.

“To me, you lose this game on two words, and that's Toby Stephan,” Canada coach Shedden said after the game. “We threw 55 shots at him, and we were all over him with quality chances, and there's no question he was the difference in the game.

“Unfortunately that's the game of hockey sometimes. A hot goalie can steal a game, especially in a one-game series.”

Conversely, Geneva-based Genève-Servette made the most of its chances, beating the Canadian tandem of Allen York and Matthew Hackett six times on 24 shots.

“Geneva really capitalized on the limited chances they got,” Shedden said. “It seems like every shot they had was a seeing-eye shot, like under the bar or five-hole ... they were a sharp-shooting team today.

“I'm not blaming the goalies one bit. It just seems that every chance they got they made the best of it.”

Canada was trailing 6-3 midway through the third period, but they poured on the pressure and goals at 16:10 from Haydar and 18:18 from Williams made it a one-goal game with time winding down.

Stephan, who made 21 of his 50 saves in the third, would not be beaten a sixth time.
“I thought we had our best game by a mile,” Shedden said. “Unfortunately like a hot pitcher in baseball, (goaltenders) can beat you some nights.”

Dennis and Fran Sponholz love each other and they love hockey, so it's not surprising that they were married at centre ice during a Viper/Chilliwack game in 1997.

Dennis says that "It took me a long time to find a woman who loved hockey and football and me, too."

Fran admits that "The fact that he was a Viper fan helped me say 'yes' when he proposed."

Since that marriage ceremony, they've missed only two Viper home games.

Each of them has been a local hockey fan for a long time. Fran started going to Junior games when she was in high school. She moved away for awhile, but she's been a loyal fan ever since she returned to Vernon in 1984.

Dennis has loved going to Jr. games since he first came to Vernon in 1972. He appreciates that "these kids really try, and it's not stifling systems hockey that you usually see in the pros or even major junior. It's more wide open." These past two years, despite the Viper win-loss record, he's still enjoyed the hockey. But he does admit that "I have been frustrated with some of the fans in the building. Too much negativity. We always hope for the best with our boys."

Fran likes the "great family entertainment" provided by Jr. A hockey, one reason why she (and Dennis) have supported the team in several ways.

Fran was active in the Viper Booster Club and the couple has billeted Viper players in the past. They've also volunteered on game nights to help the team out.

CANADA ADVANCES TO SEMIFINALS OF SPENGLER CUP WITH 6-3 WIN OVER ROCHESTER

The Canadian Press

DAVOS, Switzerland – A strong start and a textbook finish made up for a second-period slump as Canada advanced to the semifinals of the Spengler Cup with a 6-3 win over the Rochester Americans on Sunday.

Byron Ritchie and Jacob Micflikier each scored twice to lead the way for Canada, which jumped out to a 3-0 first-period lead before letting Rochester back into the game in the second.

“It was nice to go into the locker-room after the first period with that lead but you had the feeling it wasn't over,” Canadian coach Doug Shedden said.

“Then a couple of mistakes, a couple of little things and in this business you just can't make those little mistakes because they add up to big things, and once they made it 4-3 we had a monster on our hands.”

Canada was able to re-establish momentum in the third period, and two more goals put the game out of reach.

“I was really happy with our third period, I thought it was textbook hockey,” Shedden said.

Canada will play Swiss club HC Genève-Servette in Monday's semifinal. Genève-Servette had an automatic berth to the semis after finishing first in its group.

After starting sluggishly in a 3-2 loss against host HC Davos on Saturday, Canada came out flying against the Americans.

Ritchie gave Canada a 1-0 lead at the 7:30 mark, before Micflikier's two goals put the Canadians up 3-0 heading into the first intermission.

Rochester came back in the second, capitalizing on Canadian mistakes.

“We made a blind pass behind the net on their first goal and then we took a penalty and before you know it it's 4-3. So our management skills were kind of dumb in that area,” Shedden said.

Shedden said the team went back to basics in the third period, and goals from Ritchie and Alexandre Giroux clinched the win.

“Our point was we get hard forechecking and we stick to our (system) and get the turnovers, and don't let them in our zone,” Shedden said. “I thought we did it really well in the third period.”

Derrick Walser also scored for Canada, while Ahren Spylo added three assists.

Alexander Hutchings, Dan Catenacci and Joel Armia scored for Rochester, which is the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.

The annual Mac's Midget Tournament gets underway in Calgary on Boxing Day and runs through to New Year's Day.

There are a number of players taking part who are on BCHL rosters this season as affiliate players/prospects. I've taken this format from Alan's Small Thoughts At Large WHL blog.

If you are interested in following your team's prospects in this year's tourney, the Mac's website is www.macstournament.ab.ca and they'll have game summaries there as the tournament progresses.

And to help you know which prospects your team has in Calgary, here's the list of BCHL prospects in this year's tournament, by midget team. I've given the player name, his position and birth year and the BCHL team owning his reserve roster rights for this season.

If I've missed a player or messed up some info on a player, corrections are most welcome.

Upon looking at the players taking part in the tournament who are affiliated with BCHL clubs, there are a number of teams who don't have any representation. They are Alberni Valley, Chilliwack, Powell River, Prince George, Salmon Arm and Trail.

Andres Ambühl scored the winning goal late in the third period as host HC Davos beat Canada 3-2 Saturday.

Canada falls to 1-1 and must now play the Rochester Americans in a quarter-final on Sunday. If they win that, they'll play a semifinal Monday night for a chance to advance to Tuesday's final, which takes place at noon local time.

“It looks like Mount Everest, but you just take it a game at a time and inch your way forward,” Canada coach Doug Shedden said.

Marcus Paulsson and Peter Guggisberg also scored for Davos, while Mika Noronen made 24 saves.

It looked like it was going to be a relatively easy win for Davos when Ambühl's goal gave the hosts a 3-1 lead with less than three minutes to go in regulation.

But Canada kept up the pressure, and Noreau made it a one-goal game with less than two minutes to go.

Canada pressed for the tying goal but was unable to beat Noronen. Ritchie had a chance at the tying goal with just over a minute left, but he was unable to contain the puck with an open net to shoot at.

“Davos is a speedy team. They've got all kinds of skill level,” Shedden said. “You're not going to beat them in their rink unless you play 60 minutes and we were a little disappointed in our first half of the game.

“We were playing the neutral zone game a bit too much maybe because they are so fast and we were trying to respect their speed, then in the third period we said lets go for it and put the pressure on them and it seemed to pay dividends for us. But a little bit too late.”

After a scoreless period, Davos used their speed to assert themselves with two goals in the second. Paulsson opened the scoring at 7:19 of the second period, then Guggisberg put Davos up 2-0 at 11:43.

Canada made a game of it, with Haydar narrowing the lead to 2-1 4:45 into the third. But after Ambühl restored Davos's two-goal lead at 17:01, Canada was unable to bridge the gap.

Shedden expects a different challenge Sunday from the Americans, who are the Buffalo Sabres' American Hockey League affiliate.

“It's going to be a more North American style of game,” Shedden said. “You're going to see a lot more of a physical game tomorrow night. Obviously we have a much older team and they're young up-and-coming stars in the NHL.

Friday, December 27, 2013

The Dutch Eredivisie league HYS The Hague have signed former Vernon Vipers forward Les Reaney. HYS The Hague is the professional ice hockey team in The Hague, Netherlands.

Reaney started this season signing with the Elite Ice Hockey League Edinburgh Capitals on August 19th 2013 before being released on November 1st 2013. In 10 games with the Capitals Reaney collected (3-goals-3-assists-6-points).

Reaney played last season with the Central Hockey League (CHL) Witchita Thunder playing in 47 games collecting (9-13-22). Reaney was traded to Wichita in November 2012 after spending parts of the last five seasons with the CHL Rapid City Rush. Reaney played parts of two seasons in Vernon (2002-2004) after coming over to the Vipers in a trade with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. In 2003-04 Reaney along with Jordan Starke were traded at the BCHL trade deadline to Williams Lake for Jeff Royston.

The first is the 29 year old Canadian Les Reaney. This very technically gifted power forward played to a few weeks ago in the UK, where he could not find his turn. Les will next weekend already on the ice.

The 34 year old American defense Nick Anderson is the second player who has contracted (HYS) STEEL. Nick is a harassing set player and is also from the UK, where he played this season for the Nottingham Panthers. When Nick the Hague ice will enter is yet unknown, but we expect that this will happen very soon. Both have many good statistics with many points in serious competitions. We welcome both players welcome to The Hague.

The last time it was within the organization does not work like clockwork. Reason for the organization in order to sit around the table, to discuss various bottlenecks. Also de Uithof is here to put together. After a long conversation, we can inform you that the air in the various parties is done. There are new appointments were made, where we are delighted.

(HYS) STEEL has an excellent team bursting with character. All good players, both the Dutch and the imports. We are very proud of this team. As on the coach. If you're in the dressing room, and some of us may (HYS) STEEL that, than test you just a good atmosphere between the players and the coach. We find this very, very important.
We hope with this message only to have clarified. Come on and stand as one behind (HYS) STEEL. The men deserve it.

If the host committee's plans are realized, downtown Vernon will be awash with RBC Cup banners starting in early March.

Downtown merchants will be asked to participate in a show of spirit that could include as many as 90 RBC Cup banners placed on lampposts on 30th Avenue and on 32nd Street.

Communications Manager Don Klepp says "we're delighted that the Downtown Vernon Association is really supporting this idea. We think it will help create a festive atmosphere before and during our RBC Cup."

The Vernon host committee had planned to implement the banner program before visiting Summerside In May, and were pleased to see how such banners dressed up downtown Summerside. "We like what they did, but we'll have our own designs," says Klepp.

DAVOS, Switzerland – Glen Metropolit hasn't played an NHL game since 2010, but on Thursday, the oldest player on Canada's Spengler Cup roster showed why he's the captain of the Canadian squad.

After nearly scoring on his first shift of the game, the 39-year-old Metropolit – who's played for Lugano in the Swiss league the past two seasons – picked up a goal in the first period and assisted on Derek Walser's game winner in the third as Canada opened up the Spengler Cup with a 5-4 victory over the HC Vitkovice Steel of the Czech Republic.

“Even at his age, on the blue-line and in the offensive zone, he's still one of the best players in the game in Switzerland so that's where he's going to be really good for us,” head coach Doug Shedden said. “He's played for me before and that's why I made him captain. This could be his last Spengler Cup and his children are here visiting from Florida.

“It's just something that gets him excited about playing.”

Byron Ritchie, Micki DuPont, and Alexandre Bolduc also scored for Canada in a back-and-forth offensive game that saw leads slip away between both teams four times.

Vitkovice's Filip Sindelar was the busier of the two goaltenders, stopping 37 of 42 shots in the losing effort. Canada's Chris Mason made 18 saves.

“We were outshooting them pretty good all night,” Shedden said. “We really carried the play against them.”

Ritchie's goal tied the game at 4-4 at 7:58 of the third period, and Walser beat Sindelar off passes from Anthony Stewart and Metropolit at 13:47 to pull Canada ahead for good.

Bolduc opened the scoring with an unassisted goal at 2:30 of the first period, but Kucsera responded with a goal for the Czech club team less than two minutes later.

Canada took the lead again on Metropolit's goal, and Vitkovice replied to take a 2-2 tie into the first intermission.

The second period proved costly for Canada when a turnover gave Vitkovice a 4-3 lead 11 seconds after DuPont tied the game 3-3 on a power play.

Shedden said the mistake could be chalked up to unfamiliarity between his players, who've had just one practice and one morning skate together before their first game.

“The problem was we gave up some easy scoring chances off some miscues and that's going to happen with guys who haven't played together, and it happens every night anyway if you have played together”, Shedden said. “I thought their goalie really kept them in it because we really crashed the net all night, and it showed the heart of the Canadians.

“We were down going into the third period and we thought we were playing well enough, we just had to keep at it and we did that. You work hard enough eventually you're going get rewarded with a couple goals.”

Hockeytube.net caught up with the Vernon Vipers #11 Michael McNicholas. The California native talks about playing hockey in the U.S. and how he moved to the BCHL. He also talks about committing to the University of New Hampshire.

The 86th Spengler Cup, the oldest invitational hockey tournament in the worlds, starts Dec. 26 in Davos, Switzerland and four BCHL alumni have been named to Canada's entry into the event.

Travis Roche, who played for the Trail Smoke Eaters from 1996 to 1998 before going to the University of North Dakota, is one of two BCHL alums on the blueline. He scored 28 goals and 71 assists in 87 career games with the Smokies. He won the Interior Conference Top Defenceman Trophy in 1998 and currently plays for Bern of the Swiss National League A (NLA).

Joining Roche on Canada's blueline is his Bern teammate Geof Kinrade, who played for the Cowichan Valley Capitals from 2003 to 2005. He scored 15 goals and 24 assists in 108 career games for the Caps before going on to Michigan Tech University.

Former Vernon Vipers forward Ryan MacMurchy, currently with Biel of the NLA is among the forward group. He had four goals and 16 assists in his first season of Junior A hockey with Vernon in 2000-01 before going on to Notre Dame of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and then the University of Wisconsin.

Another former Vernon Laker, Glen Metropolit, is the other BCHL alum on Team Canada. Metropolit scored 43 goals and 74 assists in 60 games in his lone BCHL season in 1994-95 before turning pro. He went on to play 407 NHL games with Washington, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, St. Louis, Boston, Philadelphia and Montreal. He currently plays for Lugano of the NLA. This will be his fourth Spengler Cup.

In addition to the players, BCHL alums Brad Pascall (VP hockey ops), Brad Treliving (Management Team) are on the team's staff for the tournament.

The Spengler Cup began in 1923 and is today a six-team event. The host club, HC Davos, has won it a record 15 times and all games are hosted at their home rink, Valliant Arena.

Team Canada are the defending champions, winning last year with a lineup full of NHL stars owing to the NHL lockout.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) Mississippi Surge have waived former Vernon Vipers forward Brian Elser (November 22nd 2013). No official press release from the Surge or the league but the transaction is posted on the SPHL league website under transactions. Elser played in just six games with Mississippi collecting (1-goal-3-assists-4-points).

Elser played with four teams last season. Starting the 2012-13 season with the Southern Professional League's (SPHL) Fayetteville FireAntz playing in 22 games collecting (9-8-17) before being waived on March 5th 2013. While playing with the FireAntz Elser was called up to the East Coast Hockey League's (ECHL) Gwinnett Gladiators signing a one game contract on January, 15th 2013 before returning to Fayetteville after playing just one game. Elser then signed with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) South Carolina Stingrays on February, 6th 2013 before being released on February, 27th 2013. In seven games with the Stingrays Elser collected (1-1-2). Elser then signed with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Elmira Jackals on March 6th 2013 before being released on March 22nd 2013. In four games with the Jackals Elser had just one assist.

The Vipers scouted Elser who was 18 at the time, at the U.S. Midget championships in Buffalo. Elser attended the 2008-2009 Vipers training camp making the Vipers opening day roster before being traded on September, 12th 2008 to the AJHL Drayton Valley Thunder for future considerations (cash) and a player to be named next year. In two games with the Vipers Elser collected one assist. Rumor was Elser didnt report to the Thunder and his rights were given back to Vernon. On August, 7th 2009 the Vipers traded Elser and future considerations to Victoria for Jonathan Milhouse.

After suffering a severe neck injury on October 15 at the Peoria Rivermen training camp, Rob Short is back home looking to put his life back together.

The injury, which at first didn't seem really serious, was revealed to have destroyed disks and caused three fractures in Rob's upper spine. He was taken to hospital where surgeons worked feverishly for 10 hours to repair the damage.

Rob is philosophical about the incident: "I'm just very lucky that I'm not paralyzed. Probably, the extensive muscle tearing helped prevent worse results. I could possibly recover to play again, but I'm not sure that I want to because three vertebrae are now fused and a similar incident could leave me in really bad shape.

Then the Viper fan favourite and the Louisiana Ice Gators fan favourite for the past three years laughs, "when I think about all the head first falls I've taken, it's a wonder this hasn't happened before!"

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

The East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Reading Royals have signed former Vernon Vipers defenceman Rob Florentino. Florentino is in his first season with the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) Huntsville Havoc after signing with the Havoc this season. In 14 games this season with Huntsville Florentino has (5-goals-9-assists-14-points).

Florentino spent three years at the University of Massachusetts before leaving school and signing with the ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers on March 6th 2013 but was released on March 25th 2013. Florentino went pointless in eleven games with Las Vegas.

Florentino attended the Vernon Vipers 2009 Training Camp playing in a few exhibition games before being released. The Vipers with already the league limit six twenty year olds at that time were forced to release Florentino who was twenty. Florentino later signed with the Victoria Grizzlies where he started the 2009-2010 regular season.

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, today announced that the team has signed defensemen Marvin Degon and Rob Florentino, respectively, to ECHL contracts.

This marks the second stint in Reading for Degon (5’11/196) (30), an eighth year pro from Worcester, Massachusetts. This year, Degon recorded five assists in fifteen games with the Elmira Jackals before being released on Tuesday. Degon, who has played 437 pro games in the AHL, ECHL and Europe, recorded eleven points (4g-7a) in twenty-two games with the Royals in 2011-12 before leaving for the DEL in Germany. Prior to turning pro, Degon registered 83 points (27g-56a) and 109 penalty minutes in 146 college games at the U-Mass Amherst.

This year, Florentino (6’1/193) (24), a first year pro from West Roxbury, Massachusetts, has recorded fourteen points (5g-9a) in fourteen games to lead all defensemen on the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Last year, Florentino played eleven games with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL after the completion of his senior season at U-Mass Boston. During his collegiate career, Florentino led Beacon defensemen in scoring for three consecutive seasons. In his senior year, he was selected as an American Hockey Association Coaches All-American.

The Royals return to action tonight (Friday, December 6 @ 7:00 pm), when the team will travel to WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia, to face-off against the Wheeling Nailers. That night, the pre-game warm-up show presented by Highmark Blue Shield will kick off at 6:30 pm on CBS Sports Radio 1240 am and 98.5 fm on the Royals Broadcast Network. As with all Royals road games this season, Friday’s game will be televised locally in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on BCTV courtesy of Boscov’s Travel and Apple Vacations.

The Kings’ lineup seems to be equally blessed with depth, and it showed Saturday night at Kal Tire Place as they upended the Vernon Vipers 7-2 in front of 1,700 B.C. Hockey League fans.

“We have incredible depth on forward,” said Burns, an 18-year-old defenceman committed to the NCAA Division 1 Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks.

“Any one of our top three lines could be a first line on another team. Any of our dee can play top four and both our goalies are really good.

“It’s a treat to be on the team for sure.”

The Kings (24-8-2-2), one point behind Victoria for first overall, overcame an early two-goal deficit, exploding for seven unanswered goals, including three on the powerplay to brush back the Snakes.

Burns capped a four-goal second period with his first of the season, a one-timer knuckle puck from the point that fooled Vernon netminder Austin Smith.

The 20-year-old tender was pulled after that. He allowed five goals on 18 shots, and gave way to Danny Todosychuk, who gave up a pair on a dozen shots.

“It was long awaited,” smiled Burns, of his goal. He also has 12 assists in 34 games. “Took a little longer than I hoped.”

Powell River head coach Kent Lewis said Burns is still a work in progress, but added there is plenty of untapped potential.

“He does some good things, he’s a good kid, he’s good with the biscuit.

“He’s picked the school that’s right for him. He’ll play another year to ready himself for the college level. He’s still just a young kid and he’s growing. He’s got good poise and a good knack for the puck.”

Vernon, second in the Interior Division at 20-10-3-4, got off to a terrific start, racing out to a 2-0 lead on snipes three minutes apart by Liam Coughlin (12th) and Ryan Renz (2nd) in the first period.

Jared Wilson fed Colton Sparrow a pass out wide, and Coughlin went hard to the net to bury the rebound off Sparrow’s shot at 6:57.

Renz, who has lost 22 games to injury this season, wristed a point shot through traffic after Mason Blacklock won an offensive zone faceoff at 9:55.

“We started really well and took the game to them,” said Vernon head coach Jason Williamson. “The game got away from us and they were opportunistic. From our goaltenders out, we weren’t that good.”

Stephen Hiff (5th goal) responded with Powell River’s first powerplay goal with 1:03 to play in the period. Singles by JJ Colshaw (7th), Luke Nogard (13th), Kurt Keats (9th) and Burns gave the Kings a hefty 5-2 lead after 40 minutes.

Keats (10th) and Jarryd Leung (15th) capped the scoring in front of Jonah Imoo (21 saves) in the final frame.

Williamson said Vernon’s discipline played a major factor in the outcome. Sparrow helped Keats pick up the Gordie Howe hat trick by instigating a scrap late in the first period.

Brendan Persley and Kyle Chatham, a 20-year-old in his first BCHL fight, dropped the mitts in period two.

“It was just a perfect storm,” said Williamson. “We just came unravelled. They were antagonizing and they pushed our guys’ buttons that night.”

Burns agreed: “We got them off their game. He (Lewis) makes sure we’re disciplined as we can be and when other team start getting out of hand we like to take advantage.”

The Kings wrapped up their pre-holiday schedule with a 5-0 matinee loss to the Salmon Arm SilverBacks Sunday at the Shaw Centre.

First star Adam Clark registered 44 saves for the shutout, while Michael Roberts, another member of the Pee Wee Mustangs crew, recorded a deuce for second star.

Landon Smith and Gillies each added a goal and assist, while Jeff Kennedy supplied a single.

Vernon opens the New Year against the host Trail Smoke Eaters on Friday, Jan. 3 at Cominco Arena.

Aside from last year when they finished fourth in the Island loop, Powell River has been a perennial contender, finishing either first or second in each of the past four seasons.

The Vipers and Kings had some epic battles in the Fred Page Cup final for three straight seasons (2009-11), with Vernon shading Lewis’ crew each time to advance to the Doyle Cup B.C-Alberta regional playdown.

Lewis would love to buck that trend this year, and he believes the Kings have the firepower to make it happen.

Powell River has just two players in the BCHL top-20 scorers (Jarid Lukosevicius and Ryan Scarfo are 19th and 20th respectively), but they have six players with 10 goals or more each. They are also the only team with a sub-2.00 goals-against average (1.92).

“I’m tired of playing teams in the league finals and not finishing. We need finish and I think we’ve addressed that. Look at our scoring spread out over three lines. It’s never easy to get there, but when you get there, score.

“It’s a pretty good group. We’re trying to get some continuity and get healthy. We haven’t had some good pieces for a long time which allows for other guys to play up.”

Monday, December 23, 2013

The American Hockey League (AHL) Hamilton Bulldogs have signed former Vernon Vipers forward Scott Zurevinski to a 25-game professional try out contract. Zurevinski is in his second season with the East Coast Hockey league (ECHL) Wheeling Nailers. In 17 games this season Zurevinski has (3-goals-3-assists-6-points).

Zurevinski finished his fourth year at Quinnipiac University (2011-12) before signing a amateur tryout contract with the AHL St. John’s IceCaps on March, 18th 2012. Zurevinski played in eight games with the IceCaps before being released.

Zurevinski signed with the American Hockey League (AHL) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in August of 2012 but never played a game as the Penguins sent Zurevinski down to the East Coast Hockey Leagues Wheeling Nailers.

Zurevinski played two years in Vernon (2006-2008). In 96 regular season games with the Vipers, Zurevinski collected (47-47-94). Zurevinski attended the Pittsburgh Penguins 2011 development camp.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC – Montreal Canadiens and Hamilton Bulldogs General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the Bulldogs have recalled forward Ben Duffy from the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers and have signed forward Scott Zurevinski to a 25-game professional try out contract.

Duffy has split the 2013-2014 season between Hamilton and Wheeling. In 13 games with Hamilton, the Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia native has recorded two assists and no penalty minutes. In three games with Wheeling, the 5’10”, 177-pound forward has recorded three points (two goals, one assist) and no penalty minutes. The 21-year-old spent the 2012-2013 season with the Prince Edward Island Rocket of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 68 regular season games, he recorded 110 points (39 goals, 71 assists) and four penalty minutes. He was signed to a one-year contract by the Bulldogs on July 11, 2013.

Zurevinski has spent the entire 2013-2014 season to date with Wheeling. In 16 games, the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native has recorded six points (three goals, three assists) and 26 penalty minutes. In 49 games with Wheeling last season, the 6’3”, 215-pound forward recorded 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) and 46 penalty minutes. In eight career American Hockey League games, the 25-year-old has recorded no points and 11 penalty minutes.

Hamilton’s next game is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, December 6th, when they will visit the Lake Erie Monsters at 7:30 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The ‘Dogs return to Copps Coliseum on Sunday, December 8th when they will host the Monsters at 3:00 p.m.

Hamilton Bulldogs flex tickets and group tickets are on sale now. Starting as low as $99 for a 10-ticket Holiday Flex Pack until the end of December, we have great packages available for you to enjoy more Hockey Unleashed! For more information, call 1-866-DOGS-TIX or visit hamiltonbulldogs.com. Holiday Flex Packs are available for purchase at Mapleview Centre (900 Maple Avenue, Burlington), at the Bulldogs office (101 York Boulevard, Hamilton) at games or by calling 1-866-DOGS-TIX. Single-game tickets are available at the Copps Coliseum FirstOntario Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.ca, or by calling 1-866-DOGS-TIX or 905-529-8500.

Fresh from a strong showing with the Surrey Eagles at the 2013 RBC Cup in Summerside, Demico Hannoun learned that he would be going to another RBC Cupbound team in Vernon.

"That was a bit of a shock, but we knew that guys would be going the other way for Tambellini and there are a lot worse things than getting traded to a RBC Cup team," he says.

Then this fall the 18-year-old was selected to play for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. He scored a goal and two assists as Canada West won the bronze medal. He says that the best part of participating in the Challenge was "representing Canada and the Vipers organization. Also, it's a good thing to play in front of all those scouts in your draft year." (He's one of nine BCHL players to be currently ranked by NHL Central Scouting.)

When asked to compare the calibre of play at the RBC Cup and the WJAC, he replies that "they're pretty similar in terms of fan support and quality of play. The Canada West team might have been a tad faster than our Surrey team and maybe a bit more physical, but the skill level was higher at the RBC Cup, I think."

He admits that seeing two members of Surrey's archrival Brooks Bandits was a little unsettling when he first ran into them at the Canada West training camp, but "actually they're pretty good guys and we got along fine."

Demico has a 15-year-old brother, Dante, who's a prime prospect for the Victoria Royals. Their cousin, Nicolas Petan, tied for the WHL scoring lead last year and older cousin Alex Petan had 88 points for the Coquitlam Express in 2011-12.

Next year, Demico will join Alex at Michigan Tech as the older cousin completes his senior year.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Hockeytube.net caught up with #19 Dexter Dancs from the
BCHL Vernon Vipers. The North Vancouver native was acquired in a trade with the Penticton Panthers during the 2012-13 season. Dancs who is eligible for the NHL draft has committed to University of Michigan.

Kevin Kraus (a.k.a. "Krauser") knows a thing or two about winning, as a major contributor to the 2009 and 2010 Viper RBC Cup wins.

According to Troy Mick, that experience was a real factor in hiring the 24-year-old as an assistant coach with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Kevin's role as the Head Coach and GM of last year's Revelstoke Grizzlies also has prepared Kevin for a coaching career at higher levels. He says that he learned a lot last year. "I had to," he says with a chuckle, "because they had me doing everything!"

He has identified a key component of being a successful coach these days – "The most important part of coaching, and the hardest, and the most rewarding, is your relationship with the players. Everybody's different, so you really have to keep that in mind."

Another thing that Kevin emphasizes is the passion for the game and the will to win. "In 09 and 10 we had that; everybody had it. There's nothing like sharing an experience like that with a bunch of guys who want to win as bad as you do and I want to have that experience again, but as a coach."

Now, he's part of Salmon Arm's revival, but he says "It feels a little strange coming into Kal Tire Place from the Silverback bus. Still, coaching hockey is my career now and I'm focused on helping the Silverbacks win."

Saturday, December 21, 2013

For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Kings game as Powell River defeated Vernon 7-2 in front of 1,707 fans at Kal Tire Place.

StartIng Goaltenders:

Vernon: Austin Smith
Powell River: Jonah Imoo

1st Period: Powell River would get an early powerplay just 1:24 into tonight's game. With three shots and a long shot from outside the blueline that took a funny bounce on Austin Smith but the Kings didnt have alot of puck control on the man advantage as the Vipers were able to kill off the penalty were outshot 4-0 early. Vernon would need just over five minutes to record their first shot on goal but seconds later on just their second shot of the period Michael Statchuk was able to get a backhand off in close but couldnt beat Jonah Imoo. The Vipers kept coming with some good pressure and on the next shift would open the scoring. Jared Wilson with a good smart play, carried the puck in deep into the Kings zone setting up Colton Sparrow who then went back to Wilson whos shot towards the net was stopped before Liam Coughlin was able to jam home the rebound at the side of the net giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 6:57 Sparrow and Wilson collected the assists. The Vipers kept going and come right back. Two minutes later captain Ryan Renz jumped up into the play and was all alone in front, put a nice move in close but was stoned by Jonah Imoo who stood tall making a big save. Just over a minute later Renz would get revenge after a hard shot from the point found its way through traffic beating Imoo at 9:55 giving Vernon a 2-0 lead. Colton Sparrow and Mason Blacklock with the helpers. It looked to me that the puck was redirected along the way but Renz was credited with the goal. The Vipers who were being outshot 4-0 early were now in charge of the shots outshooting the Kings 7-4 at this point. Vernon kept coming and just a few minutes later Mason Blacklock alone in the slot had a great opportunity to give the Vipers a 3-0 lead looked to graize the crossbar on a close play in front of the Powell goal. Vernon would then get its first powerplay of the night but the man advantage didnt last too long as the Vipers would get into penalty trouble late in the period. With both teams playing four on four Powell River would finish with a shortened powerplay but unable to capitalize. Just seconds before the powerplay expired the Vipers would get caught with too many men on the ice sending the Kings right back to the man advantage. & the Kings would capitalize with just a second remaining in the powerplay Stephen Hiff pounced on the loose puck that went off the end glass coming out front hit a Viper defenceman in front landing right in the crease where Hiff was able to tap the puck into the open cage getting the Kings on the board at 18:57 Luke Nogard and Jarryd Leung with the helpers. Just over two minutes later the Vipers once again with an undisaplined penalty as Colton Sparrow gave Kurt Keats a slash before tackling Keats to the ice as both players wrestled before dropping the gloves. Sparrow would get the worst of the penalties sitting out for the remainder of the period and almost the entire 2nd period. The Vipers with four undisaplined penalties in the period would finish the first shorthanded. The Kings couldnt take advantage would head into the 2nd period with the man advantage. Vernon with a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play. The Kings with a great chance to jump on the Vipers would get an early powerplay but couldnt capitalize before the Vipers come back with several chances jumped out to a 2-0 lead before getting into penalty trouble late allowing Powell River back in the hockey game. Shots were even 10-10.

2nd Period: Powell River couldnt convert with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the opening period. The Vipers slowly got rolling and got off to a good start. Just minutes into the second frame Kings starting goaltender Jonah Imoo was very good making two back to back saves keeping this a one goal game as Vernon was outshooting the Kings 5-1 five minutes into the period. With some good pressure the Vipers had the early slight edge in play before once again taking another undisaplined penalty and it would cost them. JJ Coleshaw beat Austin Smith tying the game 2-2 at 7:31 Jarid Lukoseevicius & Drew Dorantes with the assists. This goal seemed to give the Kings a little momentum as Powell River slowly started to get their game going battling back from a two goal game. The Kings with some good pressure had Vernon back on their heels as the Kings were carrying the play. Luke Nogard with a wrap around was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith who was hung out to dry making a big save. Just minutes later the Kings would grab their first lead of the night after Smith made the first save as the puck was loose in the crease, several Viper players swarmed the crease before Luke Nogard tapped the loose puck home giving Powell River a 3-2 lead at 11:15 Jarryd Leung with the lone assist. About a minute and a half later Powell River would grab a two goal lead after Jeremy Leclerc shot from the point beat Austin Smith but went off the post before Kurt Keats jumped on the rebound beating Smith at 12:58 giving the Kings a 4-2 lead. Leclerc with the lone assist. The tables turned and in a hurry as Powell River with full control of the game and the period. On the next shift Brendan Persley dropped the gloves with Kyle Chatham. Less then a minute later the Vipers would once again take an undisaplined penalty. After TJ Dumonceaux was getting called for tripping several players started pushing and shoving in the corner before Mason Blacklock was given a ten minute misconduct and tossed from the game. The Vipers frustrated and agitated by the pesky Kings who were under the skin of the Vernon players right off the opening faceoff. Less then a minute later more pushing and shoving occured as the Vipers frustrated with the Kings as tempers started to heat up. Powell River with another powerplay would capitalize. Jordan Burns beat Austin Smith on a shot from the top of the circle that I think Smith would like to have back as the Kings with five unanswered goals jumped out to a 5-2 lead at 17:09 Kurt Keats and Jarid Lukosevicius with the assists. This was the end of the night for Austin Smith who was pulled in favor of Danny Todosychuk. Smith allowed five goals on nineteen Powell River shots. The Vipers with several undisaplined penalties were outplayed most of the 2nd period. Michael McNicholas was stopped by Jonah Imoo late who made a huge save off McNicholas from the high slot. This was Vernon's first shot on goal in thirteen minutes. The Vipers with just two shots in the final fifteen minutes of the period. The Kings were up 5-2 after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers got off to a good start to start the middle frame but once again penalties cost them as the Kings with two powerplay goals in the 2nd scored five unanswered goals. Powell River outshot Vernon 10-7.

3rd Period: Just three minutes into the final frame TJ Dumonceaux tried setting up Logan Mick on a two on one but hit Mick in the skates. Just over three minutes later the Kings would attack again getting two quick goals. Kurt Keats with his second of the night beat Danny Todosychuk at 6:38 giving Powell River a 6-2 lead. Kyle Chatham collected the helper. Just eleven seconds later Jarryd Leung beat Todosychuk at 6:49 giving Powell River a 7-2 lead with seven unanswered goals. Curtis McCarrick with the assist. Just two minutes later the Kings would get their final powerplay of the night but unable to capitalize. The Vipers other then giving up two goals played well were skating hard and creating chances but it was Powell River who was up by five goals and taken their foot off the gas in a pretty quick third period. Not alot of scoring opportunities at both ends. Michael McNicholas with a wrister from the top of the circle with just over four minutes to go beat Jonah Imoo but hit the crossbar. After a wild second period with lots of pushing and shoving and a parade to the penalty box a pretty quiet third period until the final buzzer when a Powell River player laid out a pretty big check at the buzzer that didnt sit too well with the Vipers as everyone got evnvolved as a scrum formed deep in the Vipers zone as several players were getting involved before the referees were seperate both clubs. In the end the Kings would come away with a 7-2 victory just their second win in Vernon since before the 2003-04 season. With Powell River up by five goals the Kings were coasting just trying to wind down the clock. The Kings outshot the Vipers 10-6.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Kenny Citron played very well tonight. I know the Vipers gave up seven goals but I thought Citron was very good defensively for the Vipers.

TJ Dumonceaux played with alot of energy and jump. Was really skating hard, playing hard and getting in and out of those tight spaces.

The line of Michael Statchuk, Chase McMurphy and Brendan Persley was the Vipers most physical-energy line. Statchuk who has really stepped up the physical play as of late played very physical once again tonight, laying out atleast four or five huge hits. Persley who always plays hard was hitting guys, banging bodies and dropping the mits.

Ryan Renz (1 goal) I thought played well on the backend. Renz played well at both ends of the rink, jumped up into the play, had a few opportunities tonight.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

I thought the Vipers got off to a great start and played a great opening period. Killed off an early powerplay before coming back with seven straight shots, getting a few good chances, jumped out to a 2-0 lead had atleast one maybe two chances to go ahead by three then got into penalty trouble. The Vipers with several undisaplined penalties in the 1st and 2nd periods. Powell River capitalized scoring three powerplay goals. Did the Kings deserve some penalties? Sure but it was the Vipers who were suckered in all night taking these undisaplined penalies. Powell River was getting under the skin of the Vernon players right off the opening faceoff and the Vipers didnt skate away and it cost them. Vernon had the Kings on their heels, up by two goals could have gone up by three started taking penalties that got the Kings back into the game. After giving up three straight goals you could see the momentum swing as Vernon was in shock and couldnt recover. After a big win and a great performance Wednesday vs West Kelowna, it was very disapointing to see the Vipers lose this way tonight. For the second game in a week the Vipers blew two two goal leads losing both games. Last Saturday in Salmon Arm Vernon was up 2-0 late in the 2nd period before losing 5-2. The Vipers with a great opportunity to get within three points of Division leading Penticton, after the Vees fell 4-0 to West Kelowna tonight.

Top Players: (Powell River)

Kurt Keats (2 goals & 1 assist) Played very well for the Kings. Was under the skin of several Vernon players all game, did a great job at suckering the Vipers into penalties. Very quick, can skate and move the puck well.

Jarid Lukosevicius (2 assists) Was also very good for Powell River. Can see and read the ice well.

Luke Nogard (1 goal & 1 assist) Played very well, had some chances can also skate and see the ice well.

Jarryd Leung (1 goal & 2 assists) Was very good, good on the draw and in and around the net.

Kyle Chatham (1 assist) Played very well on the Kings blueline. Dropped the gloves with Brendan Persley was steady on the backend.

Game Thoughts: (Powell River)

The Kings snapped the Vipers eight game home game unbeaten streak. Coming off a 8-3 win in Coquitlam last night the Kings had to make the long snowy bus ride into Vernon fell down 2-0 early and were being outplayed before taking advantage of the Vipers undisaplined penalties. Give Powell River credit they got under the skin of the Vipers all night suckering them into several penalties scoring three powerplay goals. A huge comeback as the game was basically over in the 2nd period. I thought the Kings move the puck well, a quick team play disaplined and capitalize on their chances. Powell River didnt generate alot of chances tonight but scored on their opportunities. The Kings did get the majority of the penalty calls going there way and were not called on several calls. Powell River is very pesky-good at getting under the skin. Giving little wacks or taps behind the play or after the whistle, waiting for the other team to swing back.

Tonight is the second and final meeting of the regular season between the Vipers and Kings. Vernon leads the season series 1-0. You can listen to tonight's game live with Graham Turnbull starting with the pre-game show at 6:45pm on 107.5 Kiss FM

The Vernon Vipers are coming off a 3-1 win over the visiting West Kelowna Warriors Wednesday will finish their final game of 2013 tonight before the Christmas break. The Vipers have three wins in their last five games and are 7-2-1-0 in their last ten games. The Vipers will play four of their next five at home where they have just two regulation losses. The Vipers knocked off the Kings 2-1 in Powell River on October 18th will be looking for the season series sweep tonight. Vernon is 2nd place in the Interior Division is five points up on 3rd place Salmon Arm and are five points back of League leading-Division leading Penticton.

Michael McNicholas (19-31-50) leads the Vipers in goals with nineteen and in points with fifty

The Powell River Kings make their first and only visit of the regular season to Kal Tire place are coming off a 8-3 win in Coquitlam last night. Tonight is the Kings sixth game of a seventh game road trip where they are 2-3 heading into tonight's game. The Kings sit in 2nd place in the Island Division are thirteen points up on 3rd place Nanaimo and just a single point back of Division leading Victoria. Powell River snapped a three game losing streak with the victory in Coquitlam last night have two wins in their last five games and are 4-3-2-1 in their last ten games. The Kings have just one win in Vernon since the 2003-04 season (Due to the stats- the stats only go back as far as 2003-2004).

Drew Dorantes (20-15-35) leads the Kings in goals with twenty while Ryan Scrafo (15-23-38) leads the Kings in points with thirty eight

For more on tonight's game and the Powell River Kings please visit Alex Rawnsley's Kings of the Castle blog,

Friday, December 20, 2013

A brand new feature that will run weekly on Ryan Watters website. Watters is the broadcaster for the Okanagan Sun football team as well as Director of broadcasting & media relations with the Kelowna Falcons baseball team as well has worked with the WHL Kelowna Rockets.

This has a similar format and look to the BCHL this Week that runs on the TEAM 1410. Every week Vernon Vipers play by guy Graham Turnbull, West Kelowna Warriors play by play guy Jon Zacks and Penticton Vees play by play man Fraser Rodgers will bring you up to date with whats going on with the three local Okanagan teams.

This is posted on Ryan Watters website:

This Week in the BCHL – Episode 8

December 18th 2013

A detailed look around the Interior Division of the BC Hockey League. “This Week in the BCHL” is a special presentation of the Okanagan Sports Network and will focus on the West Kelowna Warriors, Vernon Vipers and Penticton Vees on their quest to the RBC Cup.

The Show is hosted by the voice of the Vipers Graham Turnbull and produced by the Okanagan Sports Network

With half a dozen NHL scouts and former head coach Mark Ferner in the building, the Vernon Vipers nearly pitched a perfect game Wednesday night at Kal Tire Place.

The Snakes were stellar in every inch of the rink and used a tight defensive system in a 3-1 B.C. Hockey League win over the West Kelowna Warriors before 2,300 fans.

Austin Smith recorded 37 saves and came within 21 seconds of a shutout. Smith and the Warriors’ Andy Desautels are both Western League refugees who don’t give shooters much room.

“I thought their goalie played very well and was deserving of first star,” said West Kelowna head coach Rylan Ferster. “I thought we had some good initial chances but there were no second chances in a relatively tight game.

“Vernon did a good job getting pucks deep and did a good job on the rush both ways.”

Not much separates the two teams – they tied 2-2 a month ago at The Big Wheel – but the Vipers probably turned in their finest home performance of the season.

“That was just a 60-minute effort and that’s what we’ve been looking for all year,” said Viper d-man Jared Wilson, who pocketed two assists. “We kind of know what they’re all about. They’ve got some skilled forwards but if you play hard on those guys, they kind of go away. We were getting the right match-ups, guys were playing their roles and we shut ‘em down.”

Demico Hannoun scored once on a gorgeous toe-drag, and unselfishly fed linemate Michael McNicholas for an empty-netter with 52 seconds remaining as the Vipers improved to 20-9-3-4 in the Interior Division.

Mason Blacklock, who is slowly rounding into A-game shape after missing six weeks with injury, also scored for Vernon, while Texas product Jason Cotton replied for West Kelowna on a cheeky shot from the corner which bounced in off Smith’s rib cage and up over his shoulder.

“The puck was on edge when he shot. I bet he couldn’t do that again,” smiled Smith, who was gunning for his second shutout of the year.

The Warriors, who had won three straight, dipped to 18-12-1-2, good for a share of fourth spot in the wild Interior with the Merritt Centennials. The fast-paced, tight-checking affair was scoreless after 20 minutes. Hannoun got the only goal of the second period.

Desautels registered 25 saves, including a few dynamite stops as the Vipers pressed hard early in the first. The former Prince Albert Raider got a piece of McNicholas’ shot after the Viper leading pointgetter picked off a Seb Lloyd clearance offering and danced in alone.

Desautels also stymied TJ Dumonceaux on a shorthanded breakaway and looked sharp as McNicholas and Hannoun worked their magic in the final minute.

Fortis Energy Player of the Game Tyler Povelofskie had the crowd gasping when, instead of shooting from the mid slot, he fed a pass to the corner, midway through the opening 20. Povelofskie, Logan Mick and Michael Statchuk enjoyed several bold fourth-line shifts.

Smith, who was on injured reserve for a few weeks last month, is 9-6-3. He liked what he saw from the crease, where his finest moment was a glove-flashing stop off a Lloyd snapper.

“At first, I thought the bounces were going our way except for the last one there. We were working hard, we were getting pucks deep and cycling in the corner and creating chances. We did a pretty good job of keeping it outside and not allowing them to take it to the net and get too many scoring chances.”

The 20-year-old Calgary product says he can take his game to an even higher level.

“I’m working on getting my consistency down. Once we get back from Christmas break, I can definitely step it up another notch and push it from there.”

Warriors’ captain Matt Anholt, whose father Peter coached 17 years in the WHL, including two with the Kelowna Rockets, gave props to the Vipers.

“Vernon’s got a really good team, they’re really deep up front and on the back end, and you gotta give it up to Smith. He played really good and they scored on their opportunities and I guess we didn’t.”

On the divisional chase, which will see one seriously good team miss the playoffs, Anholt said: “It’s actually insane how good the top-five teams are, and Trail’s capable of winning games and taking some points from guys too. It’s a pretty good division.”

Anholt, who has a scholarship to Alaska-Anchorage, says the smaller Warriors want to be a hard forechecking team which utilizes its speed in the stretch run.

The Vipers are five points back of the first-place Penticton Vees and five ahead of the Salmon Arm SilverBacks. Vernon entertains the Powell River Kings (22-7-2-2) Saturday night before taking the Christmas break.

Wilson, obtained from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for promising forward Craig Martin early in the season, figures the Vipers have the moxy for playoff glory.

“We definitely have top-end skill up front and we’ve got third and fourth lines that will outcompete any line in the league and a solid dee core and goaltending too so we have the whole package.”

He also realizes the real hockey starts after the 10-day holiday rest.

"Rosters kind of get finalized and the finish line is in everybody’s eyes.”

SNAKE BITES: Wilson took his first faceoff since Midget, moving up quickly from the point after a linesman twice called the Vipers’ line of Blacklock, Colton Sparrow and Liam Coughlin for movement. Wilson lost the faceoff...F Matty Saharchuk was a healthy scratch for Vernon, while the Warriors were without injured New Yorker Jordan Masters (15 goals, 31 points)...Detroit (2), Dallas, Anaheim, Colorado and Ottawa had scouts in attendance. Cotton, a Texas import, Hannoun and Blacklock are drawing the most NHL draft interest...Vipers’ monster d-man Mark Hamilton has gone home to Boston for shoulder surgery and will miss the rest of the regular season...McNicholas is third in the points derby with 19 goals and 50 points.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

The East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Wheeling Nailers have signed
former Vernon Vipers forward Sahir Gill. Gill was suppose to enter his fourth and final season with the Terriers this coming season but left Boston University in August. In 19 games with the Nailers this season Gill has (6-goals-11-assists-17-points).

Gill played parts of two seasons in Vernon (2008-2010). Gill left the Vipers in July of 2009 for the USHL Chicago Steel but after just 26 games would return to Vernon in mid January of 2010. In 71 regular season games with the Vipers Gill recorded (21-goals-30-assists-42-points).

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, are excited to announce their opening roster for the 2013-14 regular season. The roster consists of 21 active players, two reserve players, and three players on injured reserve, for a total of 26.

In goal, the Nailers will have a completely different look this season, as both netminders will be spending their first campaigns in Wheeling. However, the two come from completely different backgrounds. Mike Condon enters his first full season of professional hockey, following a four-year collegiate career at Princeton University. On the other hand, Alex Westlund is a 37-year old veteran, who spent time in the AHL and ECHL, before heading to Europe, where he has spent the past six seasons.

On the blueline, Wheeling succeeded in the free agent market this summer, locking up lethal offensive players in Mike Ratchuk and Barry Goers. Matt Grassi is the lone affiliate player among the defense, as he was assigned to the team by the Hamilton Bulldogs. Paul Cianfrini returns to the Ohio Valley, after beginning the 2012-13 season with the Nailers, while Ryan Blair and Jake Areshenko changed addresses, following a trade with Orlando. Rookie Ryley Miller rounds out the defensive core, while Gentry Zollars will start the year on injured reserve.

Up front, the Nailers will also have an experienced feel, thanks to free agency, as Chaz Johnson leads the way with eight professional seasons under his belt. Christiaan Minella, Zack Torquato, Denver Manderson, and Scott Zurevinski will be familiar faces at WesBanco Arena as well, as each has played at least one full season with the squad. The group of forwards also contains rookies with lots of potential, featuring Cody Sylvester, Carter Rowney, Stephen MacAulay, Patrick McGrath, Justin Smith, Colin Mulvey, and Sahir Gill. Jack MacLellan and Ryan Flanigan are both entering their second professional seasons, looking to build on success from their rookie years. Max MacKay and Jordy Trottier are the forwards who will start the season on injured reserve.

Head Coach Clark Donatelli has also named his captains for the 2013-14 season. Wheeling will not have a primary captain, but will have three alternates - Barry Goers, Chaz Johnson, and Denver Manderson.

"We will name a captain at some point during the season, but with it being this early in the season with a relatively young team, I want to see how the makeup of the teams feels, as well as how they respond," Donatelli said.

The 2013-14 Wheeling Nailers open the regular season on Friday night at 7:00, when they play host to the Elmira Jackals at WesBanco Arena.

Statistically, the RBC Cup host team is not a good bet to emerge as national champion. It's happened just 8 times in the 32 years of the current format.

However, in 19 of those 32 years the host team did make it to the championship final game, leading to the conclusion that home ice does indeed afford the home team an advantage.

So what pushes a team over the hump to become the champion of Canadian Jr. A hockey? Having a talented roster is a good starting point, but it's not enough. For example, in 1990 the talented New Westminster Royals waltzed through the tourney while outscoring the opposition 38-12, but they lost 6-5 in overtime to the host Vernon Lakers.

That Laker team had a special identity according to Cam Sylven, who scored the tying and winning goals. "We never, ever gave up," says Sylven. "Even when we were down by three goals in the third to the most talented team in the country, we kept on playing as hard as we could."

The current Vernon host team is developing a similar mindset. In 7 of their 13 wins, they've scored dramatic third period goals to win or to send the game to overtime. Three other games (two OT losses and a tie) have gone to OT because of late Viper comebacks.

Two contests seem to have triggered the comeback mentality. First, on September 25 they scored twice in the third to defeat Penticton 3-1. Then on October 5 in Salmon Arm the Vipers shocked the 'Backs with three snipes in 46 seconds to create a 3-2 win. Since then, the team has gone 9-5-1-2, with eight third period comebacks.

However, in some other games they've given up too many third period markers – seven times they have surrendered three goals in the final frame. That's something that Coach Jason Williamson is determined to prevent in the future.

"We're working toward to becoming a tough defensive team," he says. "Defence wins championships. We have the D-corps in place; now we have to commit to being a hard, ornery team. We've shown spurts of that, and we're becoming more consistent in being a hard-working, aggressive group, forwards included."

The Viper coaches face a bit of a challenge in forging that identity with a talented group of players, most of whom have previously been successful by primarily relying on speed and skill.

Assistant Coach Dave Robinson says "when I played in 2011 we learned that we could win by being structurally sound and by outworking the other team. That's the kind of team we need to be. When we face other talented teams, our work ethic and size will win the day."

"We'll let our guys be creative and have fun, but defence is all about communication, hard work, and attention to detail. You almost have to be like robots. It starts at practice. To be a champion, you have to practice like a champion, doing the right things over and over and over. "

The third key component in building a successful team, says Robinson is having a group of players who like, respect, and play for each other. "This year we have a strong leadership group, which has contributed to a tight-knit group," he says.

Chase McMurphy, the newest Viper, noticed that togetherness when he arrived. "There's really good character here; it's one group, on and off the ice. I've never been on a team like that, so it's really nice to be here."

Demico Hannoun concurs. "Here, it's very much like it was with Surrey when we had that long playoff run last year. Everybody is pretty close here; it didn't take long to get to know each other."

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Warriors game as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 3-1 in front of 2,277 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Austin Smith
West Kelowna: Andy Desautels

1st Period: The Vipers would get the games first good opportunity coming just a minute into the opening frame after Colton Sparrow setup Liam Coughlin in front who just missed the net on a close chance from the slot. Vernon would get the games first powerplay, just 2:37 into the contest and get a great chance after Liam Coughlin again in front was stopped by Andy Desautels who made the big right pad save. West Kelowna with a good penalty kill would kill off the remainder of the penalty. Both teams looked a little tenative in the opening few minutes trying to feel one another out, making sure not to make the games first mistake. The Vipers would get another great scoring opportunity eight minutes into the game after Michael McNicholas stole the puck off a Warriors turn over at the West Kelowna blueline, going in for a breakaway was stopped by Desautels who made a huge right pad save on a nice move in close by McNicholas. The Warriors come right back two minutes later with their first scoring chance of the night. Taki Pantziris with a nice long feed setup David Pope coming down the left wing was stopped by Austin Smith who made a big blocker save before making a tough save on the same shift with bodies in and around the net. A few minutes later West Kelowna would get their first powerplay of the night and come very close to opening the scoring after Taki Pantziris point shot was redirected on its way to the net just missed the open cage as Vernon got a bit of a break on that play before TJ Dumonceaux won the race for the loose puck going in shorthanded for the breakaway was stoned by Desautels who stood his ground keeping this game scoreless. West Kelowna with some good puck control was unable to generate much offence as Vernon would kill off the minor. Both teams were evenly matched in the first half before the Vipers took over the edge in play in the second half getting some great chances. Andy Desautels had to be sharp making several big saves keeping his club in the hockey game. Desautels made a big save off Michael McNicholas late in the period. The Vipers with a ton of pressure late, Demico Hannoun was stopped in front with thirty seconds remaining before Desautels made a huge save off Michael McNicholas in the slot in the dying seconds. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Both teams were evenly matched in the first half, the Vipers couldnt capitalize with two breakaways took over the edge in play in the second half couldnt beat Warriors starting goaltender Andy Desautels who was very solid. Brendan Persley with a very physical period laying out atleast two or three big checks. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 12-10.

2nd Period: Both teams very evenly matched went back and fourth with very little scoring chances before Demico Hannoun with a nice move in close couldnt finish after being stopped by Andy Desautels five minutes into the second frame. Hannoun would get revenge less then five minutes later after once again putting on a clinic with a nice toe drag down low, going around one West Kelowna defender before going upstairs on Desautels giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 9:39 Michael McNicholas and Jared Wilson with the helpers. The Warriors come close on a few plays in and around the net couldnt seem to buy a break after a pass or a scoring opportunity just missed the net. West Kelowna with their best chance of the period come just past the midway mark after Warriors leading scorer Jason Cotton alone in the slot was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith who just got a peice of it with his glove making a huge save. Smith then made a quick glove save off Seb Lloyd from the high slot with four minutes remaining. Very little scoring chances in the period in a tight checking game at both ends of the rink as both teams were even all the way. The Vipers with a 1-0 lead after 40 minutes of play. Again very little scoring opportunities at both ends of the rink, Demico Hannoun's lone goal was the only goal of the game. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 13-8.

3rd Period: Just a minute into the final frame Demico Hannoun setup former Penticton Vees formward Dexter Dancs in front who just missed the far corner on a close play in the opening minute. Just over a minute later Vernon would get just their second powerplay of the game and capitalize. Jared Wilson with a seeing eye pass hit Mason Blacklock in the skates as the puck went off Blacklocks skates and into the cage giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 3:31 Wilson with the assist. A few shifts later the Vipers with a great opportunity after some nice three way passing setup Demico Hannoun who couldnt beat Desautels from the slot. Just a few minutes later the Warriors would get just their second powerplay of the game, moving the puck around Austin Smith with a few nice saves and Vernon was able to kill off the minor. Around the halfway mark Dexter Dancs and Michael McNicholas with back to back chances were stopped by the quick glove of Andy Desautels who made back to back glove saves keeping this a two goal game. Just past the midway mark David Pope with a great chance to get the Warriors on the board couldnt beat the quick glove hand of Austin Smith who flashed the leather. Smith had to be sharp as West Kelowna was coming on strong in the second half as the Warriors had the Vipers back on their heels for most of the final ten minutes. Smith was forced to make several key saves keeping the Vipers in the game in the third. West Kelowna would call a timeout and get Andy Desautels to the bench with 1:50 remaining. With good puck possesion the Warriors couldnt get pucks to the net before Demico Hannoun setup Michael McNicholas for the empty netter giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 19:08 Hannoun and Dexter Dancs collected the helpers. This was the Vipers first shot on net in just over seven minutes. West Kelowna would get a late powerplay and ruin Austin Smith's bid for a second shutout this season after Jason Cotton down low at the side of the net snuck one through the pads of Smith getting the Warriors on the board at 19:39 Adam Plant with the lone assist. The Vipers would kill off the remainder of the clock coming away with the 3-1 victory. Vernon with a big goal on the man advantage early grabbed the all important two goal lead and then hung on for the win after West Kelowna with a strong finish couldnt beat Austin Smith who was very good. The Warriors outshot the Vipers 15-8.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Kenny Citron played a very strong game at both ends of the rink for the Vipers tonight. I thought Citron was one of Vernon's better defencemen tonight. Was very good defensively, making some smart plays through out the game.

Liam Coughlin played very well in the opening period and parts of the second period but didnt stand out nearly as much in the third. Coughlin with a few good scoring opportunities in the opening period sees and reads the ice well and can turn on the wheels when wanting too.

Jared Wilson (2 assists) Played a very strong game on the Vipers blueline collecting two assists. I really liked Wilson's game in Salmon Arm Saturday and again tonight. Wilson looked calm and confident tonight playing very well.

Tyler Povolofskie played with alot of jump and energy tonight, was really hustling all night. Was skating hard, working hard all game.

The line of Michael McNicholas (1 goal & 1 assist), Dexter Dancs (1 assist) & Demico Hannoun (1 goal & 1 assist) was very strong collecting five points. McNicholas with several good chances couldnt buy a goal before scoring the empty netter was very good at both ends of the rink. Dancs was very good along the wall and hard to knock off the puck, made some nice plays to setup both McNicholas and Hannoun through out tonight's game. Hannoun with yet another strong game, this kid has some soft hands and makes his defenders look silly at times. Scored a highlight reel goal to open the scoring. Nice touch at the end of the game to setup McNicholas for the empty netter instead of scoring the goal himself.

Brendan Persley played a very physical game, was another player who brought lots of jump and energy to the game tonight. A real workhorse who never stops competing.

Austin Smith (37 saves) Rumors have been going around for several months now saying the Vipers still need a #1 goaltender. Well Austin Smith proved his cridicts wrong tonight making several key saves in the final period keeping the Vipers in the game. Smith was just twenty one seconds away from his second shutout of the season was very solid between the pipes tonight.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

I thought the Vipers played very well tonight in a big divisional matchup with West Kelowna. The Vipers snapping the Warriors three game winning streak get back into the win column with their 20th win of the season are now five points back of Division leading and League leading Penticton. Vernon with several great chances in the 1st could have easily been up by two or three if not four goals couldnt solve Andy Desautels who kept the Warriors in the contest. In a very close 2nd period with very little scoring opportunities the Vipers would get the games first goal wich was key and held on for the victory. A huge goal to start the third scoring with the man advantage grabbed a two goal lead before holding on for the 3-1 win. Both teams were evenly matched well for most of the game, I thought the Vipers were much more physical, had the better scoring chances in the first period but were back on their heels in the third being outplayed for most of the 3rd. Austin Smith was very good, keeping the Vipers in the game in the final frame. Both goaltenders played very well in a game where there were alot of scouts and former Vipers. Robbie Short, Kevin Kraus, Mark Ferner & Bryce Kakoske. Captain Ryan Renz returned to the lineup after being out with a shoulder injury for sometime now. Nice size crowd for a mid week game. Vernon will finish out 2013 with a tough matchup vs Powell River Saturday.

Top Players: (West Kelowna)

Taki Pantziris played a strong game on the Warriors blueline. One of West Kelowna's better d-men was very good at both ends of the rink. Was very hard to get through, made several nice breakout passes as well as made several smart defensive plays shutting down some Vipers. Really sees and reads the ice well.

The line of Seb Lloyd, Jason Cotton (1 goal) & David Pope was West Kelowna's most dangerous players tonight. All three were very good and created and generated much of the Warriors offence. Pope who can really skate and use his soft hands with several chances played very well up front. Cotton another kid who can skate, find the open lanes and seems to know where the puck is at all times was very good.

Andy Desautels (25 saves) Made several big saves in the opening period keeping this a scoreless game. Desautels with atleast four or five big saves was very solid between the pipes for West Kelowna. Stopped two breakaways in the first, made two or three big saves in the final minute of the opening period was strong through out tonight's game. A bigger kid with a quick glove is always tough to beat and plays well vs Vernon this season.

Game Thoughts: (West Kelowna)

I thought the Warriors played well were outchanced after two periods of play didnt generate alot of offence in the first two periods, pushed back in the third with a strong period getting lots of good looks at Austin Smith and the Vernon goal but couldnt find the back of the net. The Warriors didnt play very physical didnt have that in your face style of hockey tonight like in previous games. I thought they really missed former Warrior Ambrose Firkus who played very well against Vernon, getting under the skin of several Viper players. Not alot of penalties in tonight's game didnt have many if any scrums after the whistle like most Vernon-West Kelowna games. The lack of intensity lacked through out the game at times. Rylan Ferster who is usally pretty vocal behind the Warriors bench was even pretty calm and cool tonight. The Warriors with just one win in their last thirteen games in Vernon. Whats up with the Warriors new third set jerseys? They are going with the Minnesota Wild third set style jersey but the Warriors have no green in their regular home and away jerseys? So whats with the green jerseys?

1990 & 1991 Vernon Lakers Inducted Into Okanagan Sports Hall Of Fame

The 1969-70 & 1971-72 Vernon Essos were inducted into the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame in November 2014

1999 Vernon Vipers Inducted Into BC Hockey Hall Of Fame

The 1999 Vernon Vipers were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame In July 2016

On December 2nd 2017 the Vernon Vipers honoured the 1956 Vernon Canadians and former Vernon Esso's legend Wayne Dye. The 1956 Vernon Canadians Allen Cup banner along side Wayne Dye's #8 Legends banner were raised to the rafters at Kal Tire Place

Kal Tire Place-Home to the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame

The Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1982 through the vision of Vernon resident and sports enthusiast, Nick Alexis. With the support of Vernon City Council, Alexis and a dedicated group of volunteers created a series of outdoor exhibits celebrating the region’s dynamic sporting history in Vernon’s Cenotaph Park. That same year, the new organization unveiled its first round of inductees to the Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2001, the Hall of Fame moved its exhibits into the newly constructed Vernon Multiplex now known as Kal Tire Place.

About Me

I first created this blog in November of 2008. This coming season will be my ninth season doing this blog. I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and have been going to Junior Hockey games in Vernon since I was a young child. I purchased my first set of season tickets in 1990
I have had season tickets for the last 26 years, Since 1990 I have missed 42 home games.
In September of 2009 I missed my first home game since 2002-03 wich my streak of 236 straight Vipers home games came to an end. Ive missed just three Vipers home games since the 1998-1999 season.
I worked with the Vipers back in 2003-04 as colour comentator helping out with a few games over the internet. In 2011 I helped deisgn, create and put together the Vipers new website for the 2011-12 season. I ran and updated the Vipers website for five seasons, keeping all staff bios and pictures updated, adding new game photos, doing a game preview on game days, as well as adding any Vipers news, scores or BCHL news through out the season.
Over the years I have travelled to Victoria, Dauphin & Camrose to watch the Vipers in the RBC Cup. I was also at the 1990 Centennial Cup & 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon.